Coppins fourth in Brou.

Team Vismara Honda participated in the annual Whitsundays festival of motocross at Brou in France, and came away with a solid fourth place courtesy of Josh Coppins.

The circuit of Brou, in the heart of the Loire, played host to the best international aces all competing in the Open class, featuring anything from 125cc to 600cc machinery.

In the first race, victory went to French hero Mickael Pichon, who was followed home by Belgians Joel Smets and Stefan Everts. There were problems for the latter pair's erstwhile 500cc rival Andrea Bartolini, however, as a misjudged landing led to a dislocated thumb that will keep him out of this weekend's Italian GP.

German Pit Beirer, leading the Vismara team, was hooked by a rival on the start, before putting in a stirring ride that took him from last to twelfth. Team-mate Coppins, currently number two of the world 250cc championship, finished the heat in fourth place.

The second event was effectively a repeat of the first, with Pichon dominating in front of the usual Smets, Everts and Coppins. Beirer fell again and finished 13th.

The competition served as the last real test ahead of this weekend's GP of Italy at Castiglione del Lago.